Comparison of Meng Jiangnv and Orpheus in Mythologies through Lens of Cultures, Divine Identity, and Transformation

Abstract

This article will focus on illustrating how two extremely similar mythical figures were produced under such differentiated Eastern and Western cultures, and how they manifested the social structures and spiritual systems of the two civilizations, and analyzes the parallels and distinctions between Meng Jiangnv and Orpheus as archetypes through the lenses of textual analysis and ritual performance. In the lens of textual analyzation, Meng Jiangnv and Orpheus face similar obstacles in their journeys to the afterworld, representing the unbroken boundaries between the realms of the living and the dead. Meng Jiangnv and Orpheus, reflecting their own civilizations, communicate with the afterlife through music. Although it crosses borders, music still has limitations.Through recognizing the identity and shared traits of the two characters, together with their diverse cultural interpretations and historical contexts, the implications of social, political, and cultural frameworks become apparent. Cultural disparities in perspectives on marriage, family, and the afterlife are demonstrated by two stories. Meng Jiangnv stands for filial devotion and sacrifice that embedded in Chinese ideologies; whereas in Greek mythology, Orpheus represents artistic expression and independence, setting the foundation for future Western ideas, representing opposing ideals and gender roles. A legacy of Meng Jiangnv has evolved according to region and time, while Orpheus has transitioned into literature but has almost been forgotten in modern society.